Farewell to Winter 2025

Farewell to Winter 2025

I enjoyed winter this year.

Here are three paintings inspired by the woods in our yard. The winter scenes are painted on small birch wood tiles with gouache paint. All are varnished and sealed with a wax medium.

Here are some favorite photos that I took in the woods.

Our pup enjoying the snow.

Tenacious leaf

Cone moved by wind.

Hydrangea shadows

Bark and Bases

Bark and Bases

Concluding my series of tree sketch posts, I focus on bark and bases. Here are six color sketches. Three done before snowfall and three after.

The following passage is an excerpt from Diana Beresford-Kroegers’s book,

To Speak for the Trees:

“In telling the story of my life and the leaves, roots, trunks, bark and stems that weave all through it, I hope to stir that memory. I want to remind you that the forest is far more than a source of timber. It is our collective medicine cabinet. It is our lungs. It is the regulatory system for our climate and our oceans. It is the mantle of our planet. It is the health and well-being of our children and grandchildren. It is our sacred home. It is our salvation.”

Tree Trunks and Limbs

Recently, I sketched the trunks and limbs of some trees that live together within a half acre next to our house. Here are six sketches. 

“The trees act not as individuals, but somehow as a collective. Exactly how they do this, we don’t yet know. But what we see is the power of unity. What happens to one happens to us all. We can starve together or feast together.”

― Robin Wall Kimmerer, Author of “Braiding Sweetgrass - Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants”.

Evergreens in Winter

 Evergreens in Winter

1-3-25

Starting at the horizon and looking upwards from there; I sketched groupings of trees that surround our house. Evergreens take center stage in January with pines being most abundant.

12-28-24

Click on this link to a lovely poem called, “Winter Trees”, by William Carlos Williams. The last line reads, ….the wise trees stand sleeping in the cold”. Poem

12-30-24

1-4-25

12-29-24

12-28-24

Tree Tops in Winter

Tree Tops in Winter

Tree Top Series 12-27-24

Recently I sketched a series of trees surrounding our house. I looked upwards to focus on the tops of the trees. I've posted the sketches here.

Tree Top Series 12-26-24

Twenty seven years ago, in 1998, many trees were destroyed throughout the area during a devastating ice storm. I remember seeing birch trees bending towards the ground. Robert Frost, in his poem, "Birches", writes..."Soon the sun's warmth makes them shed crystal shells." Here is a link to the poem called Birches

Tree Top Series 12-24-24

Tree Top Series 12-23-24

Tree Top Series 12-22-24

Tree Top Series 12-21-24

Sunset Point - Yarmouth, Maine

Sunset Point - Yarmouth, Maine

"Sunset Point" by Diana Johnson

Just a few months ago I was sitting on the sand painting this image. The sun was warm, the clouds were gently moved by a slight breeze.

Today, 5 months later, I was walking in the woods. The poem, “December Moon" by May Sarton came to mind. The poem starts with, 

“Before going to bed

 After a fall of snow…”

Here is the link if you want to read this lovely poem. “December Moon” by May Sarton

December 26, 2024

The painting posted above called, “Sunset Point” is available at Yarmouth Frame and Gallery

Runaround Pond - Durham, Maine

 Runaround Pond - Durham, Maine

"Soft Autumn Day" by Diana Johnson

It is fun to remember the Autumn colors as I look out the window at grey, dark skies. Today is the day before the Winter Solstice and it feels like a good afternoon for a nap.

Runaround Pond is the "go to" place to enjoy a burst of color in October.  This recreation area has trails and canoe/ kayak access.

This painting is currently on view and available at Yarmouth Frame and Gallery